What is Reported Speech?

• Reported Speech is a way how we report what someone has said by changing some of the words said, but retaining the same meaning.

Could you help me?

What did Alan ask us?

Alan asked us to help him.

Directed Speech

Reported Speech / Indirected Speech

Reported requests, offers….

When we report offers, promises, threats etc, we can use the structure:

Reporting verb + to-infinitive

Can I help you?

What did the woman say to us?

She offered to help us.

reporting verb

to-infinitive

***Notice***

The reporting verbs that we can use in this structure include:

Offer, promise, agree, refuse etc.

I’ll work harder What did Jacky say?

He promised to work harder.

Reported orders, requests….

When we report orders, requests, warnings, advice, invitations etc, we

can use the structure:

Reporting verb + object + to infinitive

Can you tell me how to

read the word, John?

The girl asked John to tell her how to read the word.

Notice :The change of pronouns

What did the girl say?

reporting verb + object + to-infinitive

***Notice***

The reporting verbs that we can use in this structure include:

tell, ask, order, warn, remind, advise, invite etc.

Amy, I think you should do your

homework.

What did mother say to Amy?

Mother advised Amy to do her homework.

Reporting negative orders, promises, advices…..

In negative orders, promises, requests,etc, we use the structure:

not + to-infinitive

Don’t eat too much sweet.

What did the dentist ask Joe?

The dentist asked Joe not to eat too much sweet.

not + to-infinitive

Changes of pronouns • In reported speech, we usually need to change the

pronouns (e.g. I, you, me, this, these, etc) and possessive adjectives (e.g. my, your, etc).

• We usually change the pronouns from :

• However we do not need to change the 1st person pronoun I when the speaker is reporting his/her own words.

1st person (I, me)

2nd person (you, your)

3rd person (we, us)

Please be careful

when you pass me the

box.

What did the woman say to the man?

She asked him to be careful when he passes her the box.

I’ll work out the programme in two minutes.

What did Joan promise?

Joan promised to work out the programme in two minutes.

I’ll sign the contract.

What did the man agree?

He agreed to sign the contract.

Let me teach you.

What did Jackie say?

Jacky offered to teach the children / them.

Please pass me the bandage,

David.

What did the doctor say?

The doctor asked David to pass him the bandage.

Mr. Chan, you shouldn’t smoke

again. What did the doctor advise Mr. Chan?

The doctor advised Mr. Chan not to smoke again.

Tim, don’t shoot the balloons.

What did Susan say?

She asked Tim to get her down.

Please get me down, Tim

She asked Tim not to shoot the balloons.

She asked Tim to get her down and not to shoot the balloons.

Don’t be afraid.

What did the vet say?

He asked the dog not to be afraid.

Don’t move.

He asked the dog not to move

He asked the dog not to be afraid and move.

Relevant Website

http://www.edunet.com/english/grammar/rep5.cfm